News Briefs

September 10, 1995
Web posted at: 8:00 p.m. EDT

Medicare battle looms

WASHINGTON -- Republicans began unveiling their plan to
overhaul Medicare on Sunday, including proposals to raise
most premiums except for those with low incomes. The full
plan is expected to be revealed late this week.

House Speaker Newt Gingrich outlined the plan on NBC's "Meet
the Press," saying that the Republican plan would create an
"affluence test" for couples with "about $125,000 in
retirement income."

Premiums would remain the same for seven years, and then go
up in 2002. The plan also encourages senior citizens to
switch to managed care or HMOs to lower costs.

President Clinton plans to meet with Congressional leaders
over the budget on Tuesday, and Republican cuts to Medicare
will be a major area of contention. Democrats agree that the
Medicare program needs work, but say the Republican overhaul
is too severe.

Who do you know? A kids poll tells all

NEW YORK CITY -- A new poll conducted for "TIME for Kids,"
TIME magazine's new venture for younger Americans, says that
American children ages 9-12 are concerned about worldly
events, but more likely to know the players -- in sports and
entertainment -- than world leaders.

The poll, based on interviews with 500 American kids, showed
that nearly 60 percent worried about terrorist attacks, and
two-thirds were concerned about pollution and protecting
endangered species.

But when it came to the names and faces -- 96 percent knew
who Michael Jordan was, and 94 percent recognized the other
Michael (Jackson). But only 21 percent recognized Russian
President Boris Yeltsin, and 20 percent identified South
African President Nelson Mandela.